new that he was mocking me in this reply, but I paid no attention to
that; I was satisfied that he consented. I now made him assist me, and
under my directions he made up the prescriptions. I explained to him the
nature of every medicine; and I made him read many books of physic and
surgery. In short, after two or three months, I could trust to Timothy as
well as if I were in the shop myself; and having an errand boy, I had
much more leisure, and I left him in charge after dinner. The business
prospered, and I was laying up money. My leisure time, I hardly need say
was spent with Mr Cophagus and his family, and my attachment to Susannah
Temple increased every day. Indeed, both Mr and Mrs Cophagus considered
that it was to be a match, and often joked with me when Susannah was not
present. With respect to Susannah, I could not perceive that I was
farther advanced in her affections than after I had known her two months.
She was always kind and considerate, evidently interested in my welfare,
always checking in me anything like levity--frank and confiding in her
opinions--and charitable to all, as I thought, except to me. But I made
no advance that I could perceive. The fact was, that I dared not speak
to her as I might have done to another who was not so perfect. And yet
she smiled, as I thought, more kindly when I returned than at other
times, and never appeared to be tired of my company. If I did sometimes
mention the marriage of another, or attentions paid which would, in all
probability, end in marriage, it would create no confusion or blushing
on her part, she would talk over that subject as composedly as any other.
I was puzzled, and I had been a year and nine months constantly in her
company, and had never dared to tell her that I loved her. But one day Mr
Cophagus brought up the subject when we were alone. He commenced by
stating how happy he had been as a married man, that he had given up
all hopes of a family, and that he should like to see Susannah Temple,
his sister-in-law, well married, that he might leave his property to her
children; and then he put the very pertinent question--"Japhet--
verily--thou hast done well--good business--money coming in fast--settle,
Japhet--marry, have children--and so on. Susannah--nice girl--good
wife--pop question--all right--sly puss--won't say no--um--what d'ye
say?--and so on." I replied that I was very much attached to Susannah,
but that I was afraid that the attachment was n